FAQs ABOUT CURBSIDE COMPOSTING

Is it really that important not to put my organic material in the landfill?Yes! Composting is one of the easiest and most effective actions that we can do to slow climate change. When we put organic material in the landfill, that material breaks down anaerobically (without oxygen) which creates methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps 84 times more heat in our atmosphere than CO2 (over the short term.) When we compost, that same material breaks down aerobically (with oxygen) creating healthy new soil that we can use in a variety of new ways. By composting, we can completely avoid these harmful methane emissions!

Won't the compost smell?During the dog days of summer, when Colorado hovers above 90 degrees during the day, there will be some odor. But there are a variety of ways to try to avoid this. You can use bio-bags for your compost, or keep it in your freezer just prior to pickup. Also, we are advocating for weekly compost pickup which will seriously reduce smell. So join us in asking council and city staff to institute weekly pickup!

Animals will get in my compost bin!Do you have pests getting in your trash now? If not, then you will most likely not get them with a new compost service. After all, you are already putting your organic material in your trash now. With a new compost service, you will simply be putting it into the bin next to your trash!​

For more information on the City of Longmont Curbside Composting program please click here.

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